Does Sex Education Prevent Teenage Pregnancy?

Annotated Bibliography

Sternberg, Steve. “USA’s youth at high risk for venereal diseases.”USATODAY.com 24 Feb 2004. Web. 24 October. 2011.

This article provides a lot of information regarding the rate at, which sexually transmitted diseases are present among the American youth. Furthermore, the author has found out through research that by the time one reaches the age of 25, they will have obtained a disease, which is sexually transmitted. The article focuses mainly on research, which has been done by credible people. Also, the youth who have sexually transmitted diseases, have a 90% chance of becoming pregnant and this is on the part of the females. Steve advocates for teenagers to use condoms, in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STD’s. The author claims that despite the youth being informed through sex education, they are still engaging in risky behaviors of a sexual nature (pp.1).

Wagoner, James. “Teens Need Information, Not Censorship.” Advocate for Youth. 12 June 2001. Web. 28 October. 2011.

This article is extremely informative and its scope is extremely wide. According to Wagoner, the United States is now becoming a country with many unwanted teenage pregnancies. The rates of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are high and the figure seems to escalate. It furthermore claims that in the industrialized and developed world, the United States is leading in the number of teenage pregnancy rates. This means that there is a problem and it needs to be urgently addressed before it becomes worse than it is. According to the author, through the created website, it will be easy to educate the American youth concerning sex matters (pp.1). The youth should be able to know about sexual health and reproduction. A lot of vital facts are provided by Wagoner and this will make any reader of the article well informed. The facts and statistics have been approved by the United States government.

Stevens-Simon, C. &Kelly, L. & Brayden, R. A health passport for adolescent parents and their children. Clinical Pediatrics, 40, 3, (2001): 169–173.

The journal article seeks to make its readers aware of the fact that there is a need for teenagers to be involved in a passport program, for health purposes. This means that the chances of the teenage adolescents becoming pregnant for the second time are not very likely. Also, it provides useful information regarding rates of immunization of children born to teenagers. The journal article is credible because a study was conducted and the results found were valid. There have been critics of this journal article as they believe that pregnancy can occur at any time and one cannot influence it, despite being educated. According to the authors, parents have a role in ensuring that their teenage children are educated on the dangers of early sexual experiences (pp. 170).

Allen, J. & Philliber, S. Who benefits most from a broadly targeted prevention program? Differential efficacy across populations in the teen outreach program. Charlottesville, VA: Author.1994.Print.

This journal article provides information regarding the benefits of prevention programs to adolescents, who are at risk of becoming pregnant. A study was conducted, in order to find out if teenage pregnancies were reduced as a result of being educated in a program that advocates against unwanted sexual behavior. According to Allen and Philliber, only a small percentage of teenagers will benefit from the sex education that has been taught to them (pp. 56). On the other hand, the media is presenting a negative image concerning sex and the teenagers are accepting it. The prevention programs have not been successful in preventing unwanted pregnancies among teenagers.

Alford S. Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth, 2008. Web. 24 October .2011.

This is a summary of research, which was undertaken by Alford, in order to find out if programs on sex education work or not. It provides a literature review of some programs as well as their impact in reducing teenage pregnancies. The sex education programs focused on preventions methods, such as the use of condoms and abstaining from sex for some time period. It was found out that the sex education programs were effective only to a small extent. The impact was felt on the number of STD’s and pregnancies that occurred. The behavior of the teenagers was also affected in that, condom and contraceptive use increased and sexual partners numbers reduced. Also, the teenagers were less likely to engage in sex that is unprotected and the age, at which teenagers had their sexual encounter for the first time increased. Alford believes that the programs on sex education play a vital role in reducing pregnancies. There are various findings and charts, which have been provided by the author, in making his work extremely credible and informative (pp.1).

“Sex education: Start discussions early.” CNN.com. 7 Jun 2005. 24 October 2011.

The article was in the leading news provider known as Cable News Network. It focused mainly on the need for parents to ensure that their children are well informed about matters related to sex. It is believed that when children are taught when they are young, it will be hard for them to forget. Also, insight is provided concerning what sex educator’s should teach children concerning sex and the limitations, which exist. The moral development of children is made known. Furthermore, a lot of encouragement is given to parents to make them have the courage to talk about this important matter. The author of this article is extremely well informed on matters related to sex education. Children, teenagers and parents will find the information provided useful, as it is a fun way of teaching sex education (pp.1).

Pavanel, Jane. The Sex Book: A no-Nonsense guide for teenagers. New York: Wizard Books, 2003.Print.

This book offers a diverse range of information concerning matters related to sex, and the audience readers are teenagers. It criticizes the sex education, which teenagers are taught while in school. The book provides many facts that concern sex and answers questions that teenagers seek to find answers to. Issues, which would not be raised in a classroom setting, are provided in the book. Teenagers who are shy and would not easily ask their parent, peers, or teachers are provided in the book. Pavanel makes teenagers know about the dangers of becoming pregnant when they are young. Death of the baby and mother can easily occur due to problems related to the latter’s reproduction system. According to this book’s author, teenagers who become pregnant still have an opportunity of having themselves redeemed. This is if they take the proper precautions and do not become pregnant again (pp. 45).

Work Cited

Sternberg, Steve. “USA’s youth at high risk for venereal diseases.”USATODAY.com 24 Feb 2004. 24 October 2011.

Wagoner, James. “Teens Need Information, Not Censorship.” Advocate for Youth. 12 June 2001. 24 October 2011.

Stevens-Simon, C. &Kelly, L. & Brayden, R. (2001). A health passport for adolescent parents and their children. Clinical Pediatrics, 40, 3, (2001): 169–173.

Allen, J. & Philliber, S. Who benefits most from a broadly targeted prevention program? Differential efficacy across populations in the teen outreach program. Charlottesville, VA: Author.1994.Print.

Alford S. Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth, 2008.Web. 24 October.2011.

“Sex education: Start discussions early.” CNN.com. 7 Jun 2005. 24 October. 2011.

Pavanel, Jane. The Sex Book: A no-Nonsense guide for teenagers. New York: Wizard Books, 2003.Print